Xu Zhiyong to Face Trial in Beijing Amid Crackdown on Dissent

BEIJING—China is putting a prominent rule-of-law campaigner on trial this week, reinforcing leaders' harder line on dissent as they try to maintain political control in the face of slowing economy.

Xu Zhiyong will face trial Wednesday in Beijing on charges of disturbing public order, according to his lawyer. The charges stem from a series of protests over corruption and access to education in Beijing last year, which Mr. Xu allegedly...